Hey, everyone! How are you doing?

We use numbers on a daily basis to communicate. Besides, there are many and expressions that use numbers figuratively to give them another meaning. Today, we are going to cover some of these idioms in English. So give me five and let’s do this!

at the eleventh hour – at the very last minute

• The team reversed the score at the eleventh hour
• A good student never starts their papers at the eleventh hour

all in one piece – intact, with no damages

• We were lucky to have survived the accident all in one piece
• The package was fragile, but it made it to its destination all in one piece

to know a thing or two – to have knowledge about something, to understand something

• I’ve lived in France for a year, so I know a thing or two about the language
• Sally is an IT major, so she probably knows a thing or two on how to fix your computer

back to square one –  to start over, to do something from the beginning, to get back to the starting point

• Our plan didn’t work, so now we’re back to square one
• The student wasn’t satisfied with the results of his work, so he decided to erase everything and get back to square one

to have second thoughts (about something) – to have doubts, to change opinion, to reconsider

• The wedding was scheduled for next week, but the bride had seconds thoughts and called everything off
• I’m having seconds thoughts about buying this house, it’s too much money

to take five – to take a break, to stop briefly to rest

• The workers spend the whole morning working hard, so now they’re taking five
• I’m too tired, let’s take five and then resume?

That’s it for now. Part two in coming up soon!

Have a nice week!